Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

March 2025

ISBN: 9781761349751

RRP: $16.99

Nerdy kid me has always been fascinated with the ancient civilisations: as a primary schooler requesting books on the big three of Egypt, Rome and Greece and acing my project on 6 chosen civilisations, to a highschooler crushing on my Ancient History teacher [not even young, almost as ancient as his topics!] and snaffling my big brother’s textbooks when he was done with them [still have several including the Atlas of the Ancient World which I still love]. Not to mention watching almost any movie on these topics.

But I have to say, I have never read or heard the famous Greek myths shared with such verve, such compelling drama and such authority as when Nanny Piggins tells them to the dear children in her care [why yes, that is always a disturbing thought really].

I mean to say, after over 60 years of reading the well-known tales of such as Medusa, Pandora, Hercules and Jason [oh Jason and the Argonauts movie – anyone? I’ve watched it dozens of times since I was about 8!], I had absolutely no idea that there were so many porcine participants involved in these Greek epics.

Nor was I ever astute enough to realise that, for example, Theseus was actually a gilt, just one of the many revelations I have now uncovered, thanks to Nanny P. Interspersed with Nanny’s lively retells of the famous histories of those eccentric gods and goddesses, and, arguably, even more eccentric pigs, are some really choice fun and pertinent facts that readers will relish.

I’m telling you, forget your Aesop and your Homer – those guys knew nothing about their own cultures apparently. Just as they have any other Nanny Piggins story, your readers from around year 3/4 upwards will laugh themselves silly over the outrageous antics in this one – Boris getting stuck in the bathtub is priceless [yep, snort laugh!].

And aside from R. A Spratt’s always dab hand with the story part, that cover art is just sublime (kudos Lucinda Gifford)!! You won’t want to miss it and it would make a great read-aloud/serial read as well, so grab your copy quick sticks! I’m giving it an unreserved 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷 rating! Add it to your Nanny Piggins shelf ASAP(ig)!!